Library and archives

Welcome to Christ Church Library. Christ Church has a magnificent Library which serves both the needs of the College community and the research interests of scholars from all over the world. The Library is open to all current Christ Church members. The modern College Library serves the needs of members of the Christ Church, particularly students of undergraduate taught courses. In addition to its undergraduate collections, the Library has significant rare book and manuscript collections.

Opening hours

College Library

Term-time opening hours resume for Trinity on Monday 17th April, and will be as follows:

Monday - Friday: 8am to 1am.

Saturday/Sunday: 9am to 1am.

Additional study space will be available in the Upper Library from 1st Week (i.e. Monday 24th April). This will be open from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. Since the Upper Library houses our rare collections, please be aware that the following rules apply to prevent damage:

  • Absolutely no food or drink may be brought to the Upper Library (not even bottled water)
  • Large bags must be left on the table on the upper landing
  • Students must not touch the books, or take anything off the shelves
  • Handwritten notes should be made in pencil, not pen
  • We cannot guarantee charging points (there are sockets in the floor, which you are welcome to use, but not enough for one per desk)

Burn Law Library

Monday – Sunday 24 hours (fob access)

Visitors

Access to the Library during staff working hours may be permitted to individuals from other Oxford Colleges, for the purpose of consulting books not readily available elsewhere. Access is by appointment only and can be arranged by contacting the College Librarian.

All enquiries related to the College Archives should be addressed to the Archivist – judith.curthoys@chch.ox.ac.uk

Winnifrith Donation

Christ Church Library and Archives are pleased to announce the arrival of papers and books from the Library of Tom Winnifrith (1938 – 2020, ChCh 1957), Classics tutor at Warwick University and campaigner for endangered European languages.  The books, principally on the history of the Balkans, have been incorporated into the main Library collection and are available for members to use.  The small archive, which includes editions of newsletters, conference papers, correspondence and offprints in, and concerning the survival of, languages such as Vlach and Breton, is also available for study.